WASHINGTON DC, July 25, 2025
Raducanu Battles Heat, Sakkari in Grueling Washington DC Match
Emma Raducanu survived tough conditions and a determined opponent to advance in Washington DC.
Did Emma Raducanu win her match in Washington DC? Yes, Raducanu secured a hard-fought victory against Maria Sakkari in Washington DC, overcoming the heat and a significant deficit in the second set.
- Emma Raducanu won a difficult match against Maria Sakkari in Washington DC.
- Raducanu overcame the heat, admitting she felt “wobbly” at times.
- The match was long, with the first set lasting over an hour.
- Britain’s Neal Skupski advanced in men’s doubles.
- Fran Jones is set to enter the top 100 in WTA rankings.
In sweltering Washington DC, Emma Raducanu and Maria Sakkari found holding serve a challenge in the opening set. Raducanu capitalized on three of her six break points, while Sakkari converted two of her four opportunities.
Raducanu Mounts Comeback
At 4-4, Raducanu seized control, breaking Sakkari’s serve for the third time to earn a set point. She then converted her second opportunity to clinch the first set.
The second set saw Sakkari, the 2023 runner-up, with a chance to force a decider. She broke Raducanu’s serve in the sixth game and saved two break points to lead 5-2. However, Raducanu staged a remarkable comeback, winning five consecutive games.
Raducanu converted two of her five break points in the second set to take it 7-5. She acknowledged the difficulty of the conditions, stating, “It was brutal today.” She also mentioned feeling “a bit wobbly” due to the heat and that the match was long, with the first set exceeding an hour.
“You just have to enjoy suffering and leave it all out there on the court,” Raducanu said after the match.
She praised her opponent, adding, “Maria played an incredible match and the conditions really suit her with the liveliness of her game.” Raducanu is now preparing for doubles play and focusing on recovering from the heat.
British Success in Doubles and Singles
In men’s doubles action, Britain’s Neal Skupski and his Australian partner John-Patrick Smith secured a spot in the semi-finals. They battled back from a set down to defeat fourth seeds Michael Venus and Yuki Bhambri with a 3-6, 6-4, 10-7 victory.
Elsewhere, British player Fran Jones is poised to enter the top 100 of the WTA rankings for the first time. The 24-year-old reached the semi-finals in Palermo after defeating Hungary’s Panna Udvardy 6-2, 6-3.
Jones will face Tatiana Prozorova in the last four. Her climb into the top 100 marks a significant career milestone.
